Last summer, when 5 of us were riding the continental divide, the guys who were able to do what you describe, find a hotel, find a weather report, check maps, etc quickly and efficiently, were the ones who had a smart phone with a data plan, and knew how to use it. Guys like me who went the cheap route, and just had a tiny Wi-Fi capable tablet were always coming up short in the computing department. My recommendation is to find a smart phone that fits your budget and learn how to use it for email, maps, hotel etc.
For Nooks and Nexus 7, there are 4 different models for each, so you should really tell us if you are at the bottom of the price range, or the top.
The point the guy at the the store was trying to make, was that in the past, Nooks (and the low end Nooks are still like this) are only built to read books. They are electronic book readers, they are not built to add software to do anything you want, they are limited in scope.
The Nexus was always built to be a general purpose tablet. Anything you can find software for that runs on Android can probably be done on the Nexus. So, the Nexus can be a book reader, a trip planner, and map viewer etc.
Looking quickly at the expensive Nook's, they do NOT have GPS, or Cellular data built in. So, the Nook's are probably not a good choice for the wayward traveler.
The expensive Nooks do have WiFi, so when you are close some retailer who gives you free WiFi, you can do the computing functions you like. If you are 20mi from nowhere, you will not be able to do much with the Nook.
All of the Nexus include WiFi and GPS, so where ever you are, your mapping will work and when you are in a town, you can find a free WiFi network and do what you want.
(I would NEVER ever replace my Garmin with a GPS built into a smart phone or tablet. But then I carry paper maps as a backup too.)
The top of the line Nexus include Cellular connection, so they can get data the same as a Cell phone, but you get the problem of added cost for some Cellular plan, and the problem of cellular coverage before that connection will work.
So, I would summarize, a expensive Nook will do what you ask, but probably needs a free WiFi connection in a town to get connected to the web for email. Mapping with GPS on a Nook would probably be limited.
The top of the line Nexus includes GPS and a WiFi and Cellular, so it has the same amount of connectivity as a smart phone. When you are outside of cellular coverage, its internet will stop working, but most of the time, you would be GPS connected and able to read files, or data stored on the Nexus.
The Nexus is built by Google. Google also builds the Android operating system which makes the Nexus and the Nook work and do all of their neat tricks. They tend to spend a lot of time and money keeping the Nexus and the Android software working together. The Nexus has a HUGE source of software to do everything you want in a computer. That is all found through the Google Store or Google+ or whatever its called today. Lots of software is out there for the Nexus, lots of it is free.
Hope that helps.
This was a hastily done summary of the 2. If I got details wrong, sorry I tried. Buyer beware before you go spending your cash.
Best,
Dean Wegner
Cold, but not too snowy, Wisconsin.
On Tue, Dec 17, 2013 at 10:31 AM, mark ward wrote:
[u][/u]
KISS, KISS, (Keep it simple stupid.)
Talk to me like I'm a 5 year old.
2 of my sister's (RIP) favorite sayings.
Problem is most 5 year olds can do more with electronics then I can. LOL
Explain to me the basic DIFFERANCE's between a Nook hd And a Nexus 7
I was at staples yesterday, and they still have this one ANAL guy that if you ask twice, or not just whip out your money treats you like a fool.
He just Kept STRESSING, (SNOTTIER) Nexus is a TABLET, AND NOOK IS A BOOK, But ALSO THEY "SAME"? AND DO THE SAME THINGS.
He 1st. off asked, So what are you going to use it for? HELL WHO KNOWS WHAT TOMORROW MAY HAVE INSTORE? (I may learn there are things I like to do that had no idea about today.)
KISS KISS
Thanks
Mark (SNOWY West Mich.)